Hand grip

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide hand grips for use with various items having handles. In one embodiment a hand grip includes an elongate body having an elongate lumen formed therein for receiving a portion of an elongate handle of an item to be carried. The elongate body includes an elongate channel formed by a first side and a second side of the elongate body to provide access to the elongate lumen by an elongate handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the carrying, by individuals, of items with handles. For example, when shopping, the purchases made may often be placed in shopping bags that have looping handles.

These handles typically have two ends that are attached to a surface of the bag, or formed from a portion of the bag, in an arching manner to form an aperture through which an individual can place their hand. In order to use the handles, the individual places a hand through the aperture made between the handle and the bag, and lifts the bag by holding onto the handle.

Other such handles are also used for carrying other items. For example, items like five gallon pails and ice cream pails use arching metal or plastic handles that typically arch from attachment points positioned on opposite sides of the item. An individual lifts the item in a similar manner as described above with respect to the lifting of a bag with a handle.

Handles such as these allow for an individual to pick up one or more items through use of one hand. However, the weight of the item is distributed only to the area that is adjacent to or in contact with the handle. Oftentimes, the weight is also distributed more toward the edges of the hand at the area where the handle leaves the confines of the individual's hand. This is typically due to the looping shape of the handle and the generally flat or concave shape of the surface of an individual's palm.

Typically such handles have a small cross-sectional width. Due to their small cross-sectional width, if the item is heavy, it may cause the individual some discomfort when carrying the item. Additionally, even with handles having larger cross-sectional widths, the handles may have an uncomfortable shape that may cause discomfort when carrying the item, especially for prolong periods of carrying the item. This can be especially difficult for individuals suffering from arthritis or having other such ailments.

Further, when an individual is carrying several items with handles in one hand, when the items are set down, the handles typically do not stay together such that the individual can quickly pick the items up again. The several handles often have to be collected by the individual whenever the items are set down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an angled, side perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an angled, bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide hand grips for use with various items having handles. In various embodiments, the hand grip includes an elongate body. The elongate body includes an elongate lumen formed therein for receiving a portion of an elongate handle of an item to be carried. The hand grip can provide a buffer between the hand of the individual carrying the item and the surface of the handle. This can, for example, distribute the force of the item onto a larger area of the individual's hand.

FIG. 1 illustrates an angled, side perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the hand grip 100 includes an elongate body 1 10 having an elongate channel 118 formed therein. The channel 118 provides access to a lumen 116 formed by the sides 112 and 114. The sides 112 and 114 each have a top 120 and ends 121 and 122.

As shown in FIG. 1, the elongate channel 118 formed by a first side and a second side 112 and 114 of the elongate body 110 provides access to the elongate lumen 116 for an elongate handle of an item to be carried. In this way, an elongate handle of an item to be carried can be slid into the hand grip and can be maintained within the interior of the hand grip.

The channel can be of any suitable size. For example, in some embodiments, the channel is sized to accommodate a bag handle, such as a handle from a shopping bag, garbage bag, or other such bags used to transport items. In some embodiments, the channel is sized to accommodate a handle to a storage container, such as an ice cream pail, five gallon pail, laundry detergent box, storage box, or other such containers used to carry items. The channel can also be sized to accommodate handles integrated or connected to the item itself, such as to carry a computer or audio component, for example.

The elongate body can be created from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, wood, and metal, or a combination of such materials. For example, if a flexible hand grip is desired, rubber and plastic, or a combination including rubber and/or plastic, may be suitable, among other materials. If a rigid hand grip is desired, then wood and metal, or a combination including wood and/or metal, may be suitable, among other materials. Further, in some embodiments, portions of the hand grip can be flexible while other portions are not.

In various embodiments, the hand grip can also have an elongate body with an exterior surface having a number of recesses and protrusions thereon. These recesses and protrusions can provide a surface that can be easier to grip, can be used to provide a surface with more adhesive properties, or provide a massaging or soothing feeling to the hand.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in this figure, the exterior surface of the elongate body 210 can have a number of large recesses 230 thereon. Each of these recesses 230 is sized to accommodate a portion of an individual's finger. In this way, the hand grip can be more comfortable to use and can provide more surface area to contact an individual's hand.

Other types of recessed surfaces can also be used. Examples include a roughed surface, a grooved surface, a dimpled surface, a bumpy surface, a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, and/or other such surface types.

Further, in various embodiments, one or more of the end surfaces of the elongate body can form a transition with one or more top edges of the side surfaces of the elongate body. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, end surfaces 221 and 222, each have a transition formed with top edge 220. The transition can be of various types, such as, a rounded transition, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.

The end surfaces can also be designed to extend outward with respect to an axis of elongation of the elongate body. In this way, the end surface can include a lip around one or more of the ends of the elongate lumen. The lip can provide added rigidity to the elongate body, among other benefits. For example, in FIG. 2, a lip 226 is provided on each end 221 and 222 and, continues as lip 227, across the top edge 220. A lip is also shown and described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 3, as will be discussed in more detail below.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the elongate body can include an end surface that is angled with respect to a plane normal to an axis of elongation of the elongate body. In such embodiments, the bottom surface of the elongate body is therefore longer than the top surface. This can be beneficial in providing a hand grip that can bend to accommodate the bending nature of a handle, for example. For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the ends 221 and 222 are angled with respect to a plane 225 normal to the axis of elongation 223 of the elongate body 210.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 also includes a space 228 for the placement of information thereon. In this way, a company, such as a merchandise retailer can place their name, logo, slogan, message, or other information, on the surface of the hand grip. Customers can then be given a hand grip to carry their purchases and, thereby, can spread the information carried on the hand grip to other customers, friends, family, etc.

For example, a clothing retailer can provide the hand grips to their customers for free, for a charge, or based upon a sales threshold (e.g., free with $20 purchase), etc. Their customers can then carry their bags (often having a loop style handle attached to or formed from a portion of a shopping bag) while continuing to shop, traveling to their car, and the like. Such embodiments, can be used to promote the merchandise retailer, for example, by being a source of discussion between consumers and an identifier of the source of goods.

The information can be applied directly to the material forming the elongate body and/or can be applied through use of a label or other such information carrying material. Application methods include, but are not limited to, printing, silk screening, embossing, and engraving, to name a few.

FIG. 3 illustrates an angled, bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in this embodiment, the top edge of the sides (e.g., side 314) of the elongate body 310 can have a surface 324 that extends outward from the elongate body 310. For example, the surface 324 can be a lip that extends outward, such as on a generally perpendicular direction with respect to a portion of the side 314 forming each top edge.

In some embodiments, one or more of the sides can have a top edge with each top edge having a surface extending outward therefrom. In such embodiments, the surface extending from each top edge can, for example, be generally perpendicular to a portion of the elongate body forming each top edge.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3, a lip can be provided that extends around the top edge and end surfaces of the elongate body 310. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, although a continuous lip is shown, the lip portion extending from the top edge is identified as 324 and the portion extending around one of the two ends is identified as 326.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the lip extends around one end, across one of the top edges, around the second end, across the second top edge, and back to the first end, thereby creating a continuous lip structure. Continuous and discontinuous lip structures, such as these, can be used to provide a lip into the entry of an elongate channel, to reinforce the edge forming an elongate channel, and/or to provide added rigidity, and/or other such benefits to the structure of the elongate body.

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the elongate body 410 has two sides 412 and 414 that form a lumen 416 therethrough. The sides 412 and 414 also form a bottom surface 434.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sides 412 and 414 also define an elongate channel 418. In some embodiments, such as those where flexible materials are used to form at least a portion of the elongate body 410, the channel 418 can have a first width 440 and can be designed to change the position of one or both of the sides 412 and 414 such that the channel 418 has a second width.

In various embodiments, the second width can be larger or smaller than the first width. For example, such embodiments can be constructed from a flexible material in which the material can be flexed to change the width of the elongate channel.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sides 412 and 414 can also include a transition (e.g., 432) between the top surface of a side and the inner surface of the side (e.g., surfaces forming the lumen 416). In some embodiments, such transitions between the top edge and the inner side surface can be of various types.

For example, the transition can be rounded (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4), chamfered, and/or other such suitable transition types. Having such a transition can provide for handles to be more easily positioned within the lumen 416 and can reduce wear on the handles when placed in the elongate lumen 416.

Additionally, the cross-sectional shape of the hand grip of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be of any shape. For example, circles, ovals, and ellipses are a few such suitable shapes for embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the elongate body 410 has a generally oval shaped cross-section. An oval cross-sectional shape can be used to better conform to the interior surface of an individual's closed or partially closed hand. For example, a hand grip having a generally egg shaped cross-section can be used wherein the portion of the hand grip having a larger width can be positioned in the palm of an individual's hand, while the portion of the hand grip having a smaller width is positioned nearer the tips of the fingers of the individual's hand. With respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the smaller width 438 is shown near the top of the elongate body 410, while the larger width 436 is illustrated near the bottom of the elongate body 410.

In such embodiments, an elongate channel (e.g., 418) can be positioned near the smaller width (e.g., 438), thereby providing a small entry channel 418 for placing handles into the hand grip, while providing an enlarged interior space 416 therein. In this way, several handles (e.g., with smaller widths than the width 436) can be placed into the hand grip, for example.

In embodiments where flexible materials are used to form the elongate body, or portions thereof, a diameter of the elongate lumen can be reduced by application of force to a surface of the elongate body. For example, when a heavy item is placed into the confines of the elongate lumen of the hand grip, the weight of the item and/or the force of an individual's hand can cause the diameter of the elongate lumen to be changed based upon the force provided to the interior and/or the exterior surfaces of the elongate body. For instance, with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, one or more of the widths 436, 438, and/or 440 can be increased or reduced based upon the force provided to the interior and/or the exterior surfaces of the elongate body 410.

In some embodiments, the hand grip can be designed such that when a handle is placed within the confines of the hand grip, at least a portion of the elongate channel (e.g., 418) closes. For example, with a hand grip made from a flexible material, the material can bend such that at least a portion of the elongate channel closes. In this way, the hand grip can better maintain the handle within the hand grip.

For instance, if the embodiment of FIG. 2 where made from flexible materials, when loaded with a handle and placed in the hand of an individual, the tendency of the material may be to bend downward at the ends 221 and 222 of the elongate body 210. In embodiments having an oval cross-section (as described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 4), among others, the downward bending tendency can be used to cause the elongate channel 418 to close.

This tendency can be increased through the use of a lip, such as lip surfaces 226 and 227 shown in FIG. 2 and/or through use of an angled end surface, such as surfaces 221 and 222. Reducing the width of at least a portion of the channel, can aid in retaining the handle within the elongate lumen, among other benefits.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the elongate body 510 includes sides 512 and 514 that form an elongate lumen 516 and an elongate channel 518. The elongate body 510 also includes a lip having lip portions 526 and 527 and transitions 532 and 542. The transitions 532 can be similar or identical to those described with respect to transitions 432 of FIG. 4.

With respect to the transitions 542, the elongate body 510 can include a bottom surface 534, a first end surface 521, and a second end surface 522. These transitions, as with transitions 532 can be of any of various types as discussed with respect to the transitions 432 of FIG. 4. For example, in some embodiments, the transition(s) between the bottom surface 534 of the elongate body 510 and the first end surface 521 and/or second end surface 522 can be rounded.

Such rounded chamfered or other types of more gradual transitions can be beneficial, for example, with heavy items. For example, a rounded transition's interface with the handle can reduce the possibility of damage to the handle (e.g., cut, worn, or frayed) by contact with the transition. Additionally, some handles may have an arched shape and, therefore, the rounded shape of the transition may be more suitable for use with such handles. Some embodiments can also include an arched bottom surface to better accommodate such arched handles.

As stated above, embodiments of the present disclosure can be manufactured from any number of suitable materials and combinations thereof. Examples of some suitable materials include, but are not limited to, esters, olefins, urethanes, and vinyls, as well as various woods and metals. Among these materials, polyesters, polyolefins, polyurethanes, and polyvinyls, provide examples of materials that can be used to manufacture flexible hand grips, to name a few.

In various embodiments, the hand grip can be made from such flexible materials. When flexible materials are used, the flexible material can flex to better conform to the shape of the individual's hand. The flexible material can act to cushion the handle of the item which can make the item more stable and make carrying the time more comfortable.

In some embodiments, the flexible material can have a soft durometer. Such soft durometer materials can provide additional comfort and cushioning to the interface between an individual's hand and the handle of an item.

Additionally, the one or more materials used to form the hand grip can, in some embodiments, provide a surface that has better adhesion to the hand of the individual. For example, some embodiments can include a surface that is somewhat tacky. For instance some plastic and rubber materials have a tacky type surface, which can be easier to grip than other materials, such as some metals (e.g., polished aluminum). However, the embodiments of the disclosure are not so limited.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that an arrangement calculated to achieve the same techniques can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. Combination of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

The scope of the various embodiments of the invention includes other applications in which the above structures can be used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. 

1. A hand grip, comprising; an elongate body having an elongate lumen formed therein for receiving a portion of an elongate handle of an item to be carried; the elongate body having an elongate channel formed by a first side and a second side of the elongate body to provide access to the elongate lumen by the elongate handle; and wherein each side has an outer surface and wherein the elongate body has a lip extending outward with respect to the outer surface on at least a portion of an edge of the elongate body.
 2. The hand grip of claim 1, wherein the elongate body has an exterior surface with a number of recesses thereon.
 3. The hand grip of claim 1, wherein each of the number of recesses is sized to accommodate a portion of an individual's finger.
 4. The hand grip of claim 1, wherein the elongate body has a bottom surface and a first end surface and wherein a transition between the bottom surface and the first end surface is rounded.
 5. The hand grip of claim 1, wherein the elongate body includes an inner surface, a first end surface, and a second end surface and wherein transitions between the inner surface and the first end surface and second end surface are rounded.
 6. The hand grip of claim 5, wherein the inner surface includes a portion of the first side and second side.
 7. The hand grip of claim 1, wherein the elongate body has a generally oval cross-sectional shape.
 8. A hand grip, comprising; an elongate body having an elongate lumen formed therein for receiving a portion of an elongate handle of an item to be carried; the elongate body having an elongate channel formed by a first side and a second side of the elongate body to provide access to the elongate lumen by the elongate handle; and the elongate body has at least one end surface having a first lip thereon extending outward with respect to an axis of elongation of the elongate lumen.
 9. The hand grip of claim 8, wherein the elongate body has a generally oval cross-sectional shape.
 10. The hand grip of claim 8, wherein the first lip is constructed and arranged to increase the rigidity of the elongate body.
 11. The hand grip of claim 8, wherein the elongate body has a bottom portion width that is larger than a top portion width.
 12. The hand grip of claim 8, wherein each side has an outer surface and a top edge and wherein each top edge has a surface forming a second lip extending outward therefrom with respect to the outer surface of the side from which the lip extends.
 13. The hand grip of claim 12, wherein the surface forming the second lip extending from each top edge is generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the side from which the lip extends.
 14. A hand grip, comprising; a flexible elongate body having an elongate lumen formed therein for receiving a portion of an elongate handle of an item to be carried; the elongate body having an elongate channel formed by a first side and a second side of the elongate body to provide access to the elongate lumen by the elongate handle; the elongate channel having a first width and being designed to open to a second width; and wherein each side of the elongate body has an outer surface and a top edge surface wherein each top edge surface extends outward with respect to the outer surface and forms a first lip.
 15. The hand grip of claim 14, wherein the elongate body includes a space for the placement of information thereon.
 16. The hand grip of claim 14, wherein the elongate body has end surfaces that also extend outward with respect to the outer surface and form a second lip such that the first lip and second lip are connected, forming a continuous lip.
 17. The hand grip of claim 16, wherein the top edge surface extending outward and forming the first lip is generally perpendicular to a portion of the side forming each top edge.
 18. The hand grip of claim 14, wherein a diameter of the elongate lumen can be reduced by application of force to an exterior surface of the elongate body.
 19. The hand grip of claim 14, wherein a width of the elongate channel can be reduced by application of force to an exterior surface of the elongate body.
 20. A hand grip, comprising; a flexible elongate body having an elongate lumen formed therein for receiving a portion of an elongate handle of an item to be carried; the elongate body having an elongate channel formed by a first side and a second side of the elongate body to provide access to the elongate lumen by the elongate handle, wherein each side has a top edge surface that extends outward and forms a first lip; and the elongate body also having a first end surface and a second end surface that extend outward generally perpendicularly with respect to an axis of elongation along the elongate body at their edges to form a second lip.
 21. The hand grip of claim 20, wherein each side has an inner side surface and wherein a transition between the top edge and the inner side surface of at least one of the sides is rounded.
 22. The hand grip of claim 21, wherein a transition between the top edge of at least one side and one of the end surfaces is rounded.
 23. The hand grip of claim 20, wherein the first lip and second lip extend outward different distances with respect to each other.
 24. The hand grip of claim 20, wherein at least one end surface is angled with respect to a plane normal to the axis of elongation.
 25. The hand grip of claim 20, wherein the elongate body is comprised of a material selected from the group including: esters, olefins, urethanes, and vinyls.
 26. The hand grip of claim 20, wherein the elongate body is comprised of a material selected from the group including: polyesters, polyolefins, polyurethanes, and polyvinyls.
 27. The hand grip of claim 20, wherein the elongate body is comprised of a soft durometer material.
 28. The hand grip of claim 20, wherein the elongate channel is sized to accommodate a bag handle.
 29. The hand grip of claim 20, wherein the elongate channel is sized to accommodate a handle to a storage container. 